Roof truss fabricating apparatus



Dec. 12, 1967 MAYO ET AL ROOF TRUSS FABRICATING APPARATUS 5 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1965 Dec. 12, 1967 L. MAYO ET AL ROOF TRUSS FABRICATING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1965 fi z/ 4 Dec. 12, 1967 MAYO ET AL ROOF TRuss FABRICATING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 24, 1965 INVENTORS.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,357,696 RUOF TRUSS FABRICATING APPARATUS George L. Mayo and Jimmie Webb Jordan, Fort Worth, Tern, assignors to Clary Corporation, San Gabriel, Caliii, a corporation of California Filed Aug. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 482,062 6 Claims. (Cl. 269-61) This invention relates to apparatus for fabricating precut timbers into structural units, such as roof trusses.

With the steady increase in production of houses and other buildings, various machines and devices have been developed in the past few years to facilitate mass production of different assembled units. One example of such device is that shown in the patents to W. H. Black, Nos. 2,996,721 and 3,100,301 for the purpose of fabricating roof trusses. I Such roof trusses are generally quite large in size and devices developed heretofore for fabricating such trusses have been relatively costly and required a relatively large crew of workmen in order to facilitate fabrication of trusses in a minimum of time. One problem generally encountered is the handling of such trusses or other large structural units in order to apply fastening devices or the like to both sides of such units.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a fabricating apparatus for structural units which enables fabrication of such units with a minimum amount of time and labor.

Another object is to reduce the amount of walking and other exertion on the part of workmen in fabricating roof trusses and similar frame units.

Another object is to facilitate relocating a roof truss or similar frame unit from one position to another during fabrication.

The manner in which the above and other objects of the invention are accomplished will be readily understood on reference to the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a truss fabricating apparatus embodying a preferred form of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is-a sectional elevation view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlargedfragmentary view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3.

. FIG. 6is an enlarged sectional elevation View taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2. I

FIG. 7 is a plan view. of-a roof truss showing gursset or nail plates attached thereto.

Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus, as best seen in FIGS. '1 and 2, is mounted on a suitable base or floor 10 and comprises a plurality of work stations including a central work station 12, intermediate work stations 13 and 14 and end stations 15. v

The central station 12 comprises a pair of spaced support beams 16 (see also FIG. 4) on which are mounted a main stanchion member 17 and a rear stanchion member. 18. Similarly,.,the end stations comprise spaced support beams 21 on which are mounted main stanchion members 22. Likewise, the intermediate stations 13 and 14 comprise rear stanchion members 25.

A truss component supporting frame is provided comprising a generally rectangularly shaped pivot bar 26 which extends the length of the apparatus and to which laterally extending frame extensions 20, 23 and 24- are integrally united. The various frame extensions are located at respective ones of the Work stations and are adapted to be supported by aligned ones of the rear stanchions.

The frame comprising the bar 26 and extensions 20, 23 and 24 is pivotable about an axis extending through the bar and for this purpose the bar is formed into shaft sections 19 (FIG. 5) which are journalled in bearings 28 and 30 secured by bolts 31 to the main stanchions 17 and 22 at the central and end stations 12 and 15, respectively.

The bar 26 and remainder of the truss supporting frame is effective to rotate 180 from its full line position shown in FIG. 3 to its dotted line position for the purpose of facilitating assembly of the truss components by means of nail or gusset plates 29 (FIG. 7) on opposite sides of the truss.

For the purpose of swinging the truss supporting frame from one position to the other, each of the stanchions 17 and 22 is provided with bearings in which are journalled pivot shafts 36 having pinion gears 37 at each end thereof meshing with gear sectors 38 pivotally supported at 39 on opposite sides of the respective stanchion. Such pivoted support 39 is located to the rear of and below the pivotal support for the frame bar 26.

Each of the shafts 36 is entrained with a drive shaft 43 extending the length of the apparatus through a respective endless chain 40 which extends over a sprocket wheel 41 on the shaft 36 and a sprocket wheel 42 on the shaft 43. A second sprocket 44 is secured to the shaft 43 at the central station 12 and is connected by an endless chain 45 and sprocket 49 to a drive motor unit 46.

As the shaft 43 is rotated by the motor unit 46, the pinions 37 entrained therewith will rock the gear sectors 38 between their full line positions shown in FIG. 3 and their dotted line positions of that figure. Integral with each sector is an arm 47 which is pivotally connected at to one end of a link 48, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected at 81 to the associated frame extension, i.e., 20. The sectors located in the stations 15 are similarly connected to their respective frame extensions.

When the truss supporting frame is located in its initial position'shown by the full lines of FIG. 3, the truss components including a bottom chord member 60, inclined chords 61 and strut members 62 are located in place. For this purpose, the chord member 60 is placed against angle members 70 secured to the frame bar 26 and is clamped in place by clamps 83 (FIG. 6) actuated by pneumatc cylinders 84.

The inclined upper chords 61 are adapted to rest on adjustable plate members 51 mounted on the frame extensions 20 and 24, which members carry backup studs 52 and pneumatic clamp cylinders 53 carrying clamp elements elfective to clamp the upper chords against the studs 52. Likewise, the chords 61 rest on an adjustable plate 55 carried by the central frame extension 20 which also carries studs 56 against which the chord members are clamped by clamp members actuated by pneumatic cylinders 54. The plate members 51 and 55 are adjustable along their respective frame extensions to accommodate trusses of different sizes and shapes.

In order to support the inclined struts 62 of the truss being fabricated, plate members 63 are attached to the frame bar 26. Such plate members have rectangular openings 65 therein which lie directly underneath the joining of the struts with the chord 60, permitting nail or gusset plates, i.e., 29, to be properly located in the openings. A similar opening is formed in the plate 55.

After the various nail plates 29 have been applied to the upper surfaces of the truss components at the various junctures of the same so as to secure such components together, the motor unit 46 is actuated to swing the truss supporting frame to its alternate position or to any intermediate position so that other nail plates may be secured to the opposite side of the truss components. In this case, the plates are fitted through the openings in the plates 55 and 63. The various clamps are then released,

the truss is removed, and the frame is returned to its initial position ready to receive a new set of truss components.

It will be noted that the pivotal connection 80, FIG. 3, is located rearwardly of and below the pivotal connection 81 when the frame is in its initial position shown in FIG. 3, wherein it must raise the entire weight of the truss supporting frame and the truss component parts. Thus, the effective lever arm extending between the axis of pivot 39 and the pivot connection 81 is much shorter than when the frame has been swung into its alternate position, thereby providing greater force to initially raise the frame. After the frame has been swung to its alternate position and the truss is removed, the motor unit need only return the truss supporting frame back to its initial position.

It will be further noted that each of the sectors 38, because of the aforedescribed construction, moves through an angle considerably less than 180 and, therefore, when the frame is in its initial position, the sectors do not protrude appreciably past the forward end of the respective stanchion, i.e., 17. This permits the workmen to work,

closely adjacent the lower chord member 60 during fabrication without having to step around the sector 38.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, the pivot bar 26 is partially braced midway between the intermediate work stations 13 and 14 for pivotal movement by a pair of support stanchions 71, each of which carries a pair of rollers 73 which are in rolling engagement with a circular track formation 72 formed integral with the bar 26.

A notch 74 is formed in each track formation 72 in alignment with the locating angle plates 70, thus permitting the lower truss chord member 60 to be positioned partially over the bar 26 and thereby allowed to rest on such bar throughout its length.

Although the invention has been described in detail and certain specific terms and languages have [been used, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative rather than restrictive and that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. Fabricating apparatus comprising a frame for supporting components of a structural unit to be secured together,

means supporting said frame for pivotal movement about a first horizontal axis from a first position to a second position,

a sector,

means supporting said sector for movement about a second horizontal axis located rearwardly of said first axis,

a link,

means pivotally connecting said link adjacent one end to said frame and adjacent the other end to said sector, and means for rocking said sector whereby to rotate said frame from said first position to said second position,

said sector andlink forming a shorter lever arm relative to said frame when said frame is in' said first position than when said frame is in said second position.

2. Fabricating apparatus comprising a frame for supporting components of a structural unit to be secured together,

means supporting said frame for pivotal movement about a first horizontal axis from a first position to a second position,

a sector,

means supporting said sector for movement about a second horizontal axis located rearwardly of said first axis,

a link,

a first pivotal connection between said link and said frame,

a second pivotal connection between said link and said sector,

said second pivotal connection located rearwardly of said first pivotal connection when said frame is in said first position, and

means for rocking said sector whereby to move said frame from said first position to said'second position,

said sector and linkforming a shorter lever arm relative to said frame when said frame is in said first position than when said frame is in said. second position.

3. Fabricating apparatus comprising a frame for supporting components of a structural unit to be secured together,

means supporting said frame for movement through at least approximately 180 about a first horizontal axis from a first position to a second position,

a sector,

means supporting said sector for movement about a second horizontal axis located rearwardly of and below said first axis,

a link,

a first pivotal connection between said link and said frame located rearwardly of said first and second axes when said frame is in said first position,

a second pivotal connection between said link and said sector located rearwardly of and below said first pivotal connection when said frame is in said first position, and

means for rocking said sector whereby to move said frame from said first position to said second'position,

said sector and said link forming a shorter lever arm.

relative to said frame when said frame is in said first position than when said frame is in said second position.

4. Fabricating apparatus comprising a adapted to be supported on a base,

a frame for supporting components of a structural unit to be secured together,

means on said stanchion pivotally supporting said frame adjacent the forward end of said frame for movement about a horizontal axis extending adjacent the upper forward end of said stanchion from a first position to a second position,

a gear sector,

means on said stanchion supporting said gear sector for movement about a second horizontal axis located rearwardly of and below said first axis,

a link,

a first pivotal connection between said link and said frame,

a second pivotal connection between said link and said sector,

said second pivotal connection being located rearwardly of and below said first pivotal connection when said frame is in said first position,

a gear in mesh with said gear sector, and

means for rotating said gear whereby to move said frame from said first position to said second position.

5. Roof truss fabricating apparatus comprising a frame for supporting roof truss components,

means supporting said frame for movement through at least approximately 180 about a first horizontal axis from a first position to a second position,

a sector,

means supporting said sector for movement about a second horizontal axis located rearwardly of said first axis,

a link,

a first pivotal connection between said link and said frame,

a second pivotal connection between said link and said sector, and

means for rocking said sector whereby to move said frame from said first to said second position,

the distance between said first axis and said first pivotal stanchion 5 6 connection being less than the distance between said said second pivotal connections being located rearfirst axis and said second pivotal connection when wardly of said first pivotal connections when said said frame is in said first position, frame is in said first position, said first mentioned distance being substantially equal pinions meshing with said gear sectors,

to said last mentioned distance when said frame is in 5 means for concurrently rotating said pinions whereby to said second position. move said frame from said first position to said sec- 6. Roof truss fabricating apparatus comprising a frame end position, for supporting roof truss components, said sectors and links forming shorter lever arms relameans supporting said frame for movement through at tive to said frame when said frame is in said first least approximately 180 about a first horizontal axis 10 position than when said frame is in said second posifrom a first position to a second position, tion. a plurality of gear sectors spaced along said axis, References Cited means supporting said sectors for movement about a second horizontal axis located rearwardly of said first UNITED STATES PATENTS axis,

of 222??? 5:222 1 first pivotal connections between said links and said nstman at frame ROBERT c. RIORDON, Primary Examiner.

second pivotal connections between said links and respective ones of said gear sectors, 20 Asslsfani Examiner. 

1. FABRICATING APPARATUS COMPRISING A FRAME FOR SUPPORTING COMPONENTS OF A STRUCTURAL UNIT TO BE SECURED TOGETHER, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID FRAME FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A FIRST HORIZONTAL AXIS FROM A FIRST POSITION TO A SECOND POSITION, A SECTOR, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID SECTOR FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT A SECOND HORIZONTAL AXIS LOCATED REARWARDLY OF SAID FIRST AXIS, A LINK, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID LINK ADJACENT ONE END TO SAID FRAME AND ADJACENT THE OTHER END TO SAID SECTOR, AND MEANS FOR ROCKING SAID SECTOR WHEREBY TO ROTATE SAID FRAME FROM SAID FIRST POSITION TO SAID SECOND POSITION, SAID SECTOR AND LINK FORMING A SHORTER LEVER ARM RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME WHEN SAID FRAME IS IN SAID FIRST POSITION THAN WHEN SAID FRAME IS IN SAID SECOND POSITION. 